Updated Instructions: How to Run a Full Node

Updated instructions for how to run a full node
as of version 0.13.1 are now available on Bitcoin.org. These instructions allow
one to quickly get set up and running with a full node on the following
operating systems:

Why is running a full bitcoin node important?

Full nodes help enforce the consensus rules of the Bitcoin network. When a full
node client is running, it downloads every new block and every new transaction
and checks them to make sure they are valid. Here are some examples of consensus
rules, though there are many more:

Read more about what a full node is, the consensus rules above and other
incentives for supporting the network in the Bitcoin Wiki.

Minimum Requirements

Bitcoin Core full nodes have certain requirements. If you try running a node on
weak hardware, it may work — but you’ll likely spend more time dealing with
issues. If you can meet the following requirements, you’ll have an easy-to-use
node.

A broadband Internet connection with upload speeds of at least 400 kilobits
(50 kilobytes) per second

An unmetered connection, a connection with high upload limits, or a connection
you regularly monitor to ensure it doesn’t exceed its upload limits. It’s
common for full nodes on high-speed connections to use 200GB in uploads or more
a month. Download usage is around 20GB/month, plus around an additional 100GB
the first time you start your node.

6 hours/day that your full node can be left running. (You can do other things
with your computer while running a full node.) More hours would be better, and
best of all would be if you can run your node continuously.

Note: many operating systems today (Windows, Mac, and Linux) enter a low-power
mode after the screensaver activates, slowing or halting network traffic. This
is often the default setting on laptops and on all Mac OS X laptops and
desktops. Check your screensaver settings and disable automatic “sleep” or
“suspend” options to ensure you support the network whenever your computer is
running.

What to do if you need help

Please seek out assistance in the community
if you need help setting up your full node correctly to handle high-value and
privacy-sensitive tasks. Do your own diligence to ensure who you get help from
is ethical, reputable and qualified to assist you.

Acknowledgments

A special thanks goes to the contributors (in no preferential order) who have
worked to improve this page over time: